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Age was the biggest reason why these players decided to call it quits, but it was not the only reason. Health was a major factor in the case of Al MacInnis, for example, who suffered a major eye injury when he last played. Another factor was the 2004-05 NHL Lockout , during which time these players were estranged from competetive hockey. As for Messier and Francis (who are among the NHL's all-time leaders in both games played and points), they felt as if they had nothing else to accomplish professionally.

Retirement Week came just weeks before the start of the 2005-06 NHL Season . While fans and the media had been focusing heavily on the dawn of a new era in the NHL, this week served as an emotional reminder that hockey was facing the end of an era as well.